05/2008

Artists take on Architecture

What are ‚Psycho Buildings' exactly? If searching for an answer to this question you should definitely visit the unique exhibition that premiered with its vernissage at the Hayward Gallery in London yesterday. With the exhibition ‘Psycho Buildings. Artists Take on Architecture' the city celebrated the anniversary of the famous gallery that was established 40 years ago by Her Majesty the Queen in a royal celebration. As part of the Southbank Centre it ranks under Europe's most important exhibition locations for contemporary art.

Named after the book by artist Martin Kippenberger, the show is inspired by the architecture of unusual exhibition space. A total of ten international artists will present architecturally designed spaces this summer, which will immerse the visitors in different ambience, lighting, fragrances and designs. Ralph Rugoff, Director of The Hayward and curator of exhibition, says: "The extraordinary international artistic response to Psycho Buildings shows just how challenging, exciting and playful The Hayward can be. It is a fitting way to celebrate our 40th birthday."

The Argentinean artist Thomas Saraceno is using the geodesic structure for his over dimensional installation ‘Observation, Air-Port-City' on the central sculpture terrace. With a cupola height of nearly 10 meters, Saraceno wants to confront the very rigid 60s architecture of the Southbank Centre with a completely transparent membrane: through an outside stairway the visitors enter a gigantic space within a space. And then they fall to their knees in awe: during the first evening they took to the space and explored its possibilities - inside they can view themselves in the mirror floor on the first level. The visionary artist wants to use the dome sculpture to mediate between the inside and the outside of the famous exhibition location and thus create a new realisation of the entire space.

We recommend going there to be amazed: the exhibition ‘Psycho Buildings. Artists Take on Architecture' will be on until 25th of August. You will not regret the trip.

Further information:
Exhibition 'Psycho Buildings'

The 'Psycho Building'-Catalogue is published by Hayward Publishing (ISBN-Nummer 978 1 85332 268 6).